Bethlehem Revives Christmas Atmosphere After Two Years Despite Israeli Siege
Traditional procession returns to the occupied city as residents reclaim faith and resilience after years of war on Gaza
Palestine, PUREWILAYAH.COM - The city of Bethlehem has partially revived its Christmas atmosphere after two consecutive years of silence, as residents cautiously resumed traditional celebrations despite the continued Israeli siege and the lingering devastation of the Gaza genocide.
The return of Christmas observances followed the launch of a traditional procession from Jerusalem to Bethlehem on Wednesday morning, marking the first such event since celebrations were suspended due to Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.
Christmas Procession Returns After Two-Year Absence
The procession was led by Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who presided over the Midnight Mass according to the Western calendar at the Church of the Nativity—the site believed to mark the birthplace of Jesus Christ (peace be upon him).
Hundreds of residents and visitors gathered along Star Street, the narrow historic road leading to the church, as scouts, musicians, and local groups marched toward Manger Square in a rare moment of collective relief after years of imposed mourning.
A large Christmas tree, decorated with red and gold ornaments, was erected once again in Manger Square, restoring a symbolic image long erased by war, siege, and collective grief.
Ceasefire Opens Space for Limited Celebrations
The gradual return of Christmas festivities followed the entry into force of a ceasefire agreement on October 10, which allowed Bethlehem to cautiously restore religious and cultural traditions that had been absent for two years due to Israel’s war on Gaza and its regional consequences.
During the previous two Christmas seasons, the city had canceled all public celebrations in solidarity with Gaza, where Israel’s campaign of extermination—backed politically and militarily by the United States—left tens of thousands of Palestinians dead, most of them women and children.
Solidarity With Gaza Remains Central
Over the weekend, Patriarch Pizzaballa visited the Gaza Strip, where he led Christmas Mass at the Holy Family Parish in Gaza City, in a gesture of solidarity with the besieged Christian community living amid the ruins of Israel’s war.
Despite the partial return of celebrations, Bethlehem’s observances remained restrained, reflecting an understanding that joy cannot be separated from the ongoing suffering of Palestinians under occupation.
Israeli Siege Continues to Strangle Bethlehem
While decorations and processions have returned, Bethlehem remains under a suffocating Israeli siege, marked by checkpoints, closures, and movement restrictions that continue to cripple daily life and devastate the local economy.
The city’s tourism sector—one of its primary economic lifelines—has been especially hard hit, as Israeli policies of isolation and control have discouraged pilgrims and visitors and undermined any real recovery.
Municipality: A Message of Steadfastness, Not Normalcy
Bethlehem Mayor Maher Qanawati, speaking to Palestinian news agency WAFA, said that despite years of siege, closures, and economic paralysis, the city remains capable of standing again.
He stressed that the return of Christmas observances sends a message of hope and resilience to the world—that Bethlehem, despite occupation and repeated attempts at marginalization, remains committed to its humanitarian and spiritual mission.
Qanawati added that the municipality has worked to revive the tourism sector through targeted initiatives aimed at restoring confidence and stimulating the local economy, noting that the return of celebrations, even under exceptional conditions, provides a vital morale boost to residents.
For Bethlehem, the revival of Christmas after two years of enforced silence is not a sign of normalcy under occupation, but an act of steadfastness.
In a land still scarred by genocide, siege, and foreign-backed aggression, the city’s message remains clear: faith, identity, and resistance endure—even under the harshest conditions. (PW)